The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #10886   Message #4065994
Posted By: GUEST,Lin
26-Jul-20 - 05:39 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Katy Cruel History/Info???
Subject: RE: Origins: Katy Cruel History/Info???
I sang this song as early as 1960 and always thought I got it from a Joan Baez album-- but now I can't find out WHERE it came from. Then I sang it for years at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire in the SF Bay Area. If anyone can cue me where I heard it, I would love to know. I'm not familiar with the versions I've seen here. Here are the lyrics I know:

Katy Cruel

When I first came to town,
They called me the roving jewel;
Now they've changed their tune,
They call me Katy Cruel, oh,
Diddle, lolly day,
Oh, the dittleeo day.

Chorus
Oh that I was where I would be,
Then should I be where I am not,
Here am I where I must be,
And where I would, I can not,
Diddle, lolly day,
Oh, the dittleeo day.

When I first came to town,
They brought me the bottles plenty;
Now they've changed their tune,
They bring me the bottles empty, oh,
Diddle, lolly day,
Oh, the dittle leeo day.

Chorus

I know who I love,
And I know who loves me;
I know where I'm going,
And I know who's going with me, oh,
Diddle, lolly day,
Oh, the dittleeo day.

Chorus

Through the woods I go,
And through the mucky mire,
Straightway down the road,
'Til I come to my heart's desire,oh,
Diddle, lolly day,
Oh, the dittleeo day.

Chorus

Eyes as bright as fire,
Lips as red as a cherry,
and 'tis her desire
To make the young men merry, oh
Diddle, lolly day,
Oh, the dittleeo day.

Chorus

When I first came to town
They called me the roving jewel
Now they've changed their tune
They call me Katy Cruel, oh,
Diddle, lolly day,
Oh, the dittleeo day.
Oh, the dittle eeo day.